Metaplanet’s Wild Ride
On May 23, 2025, Metaplanet became Japan’s most traded stock—despite being the day’s biggest loser 📉. Formerly a budget hotel chain, the company now owns 7,800 BTC$BTC (~$800M) 🪙 and brands itself as "Japan’s first publicly listed Bitcoin$BTC Treasury Company." Its stock is up 420% in 2025 🚀, while the Nikkei 225 is down 5% 📊.
From Hotels to HODLing
Founded in 1999, Metaplanet pivoted hard after COVID-19 wrecked its hospitality business 🏨. In 2024, CEO Simon Gerovich shifted the company’s focus to Bitcoin and Web3, mirroring MicroStrategy’s BTC$BTC playbook 🧠. The firm sold nearly all hotel assets to go all-in on crypto 💼➡️₿.
Short Sellers Are Circling
Metaplanet is now Japan’s most shorted stock ⚠️, with hedge funds betting heavily against its crypto-centric pivot. The situation is drawing parallels to the GameStop short squeeze of 2021 🎮📈, where Reddit-fueled retail investors triggered a 3,200% rally and wiped out hedge funds to the tune of $838M in a single day 💥.
Could Lightning Strike Twice?
If Bitcoin surges ⚡ or retail investors mobilize 🧑💻, Metaplanet could become the next meme-stock squeeze 🔥, catching short sellers off guard. But if BTC crashes 🧊, the company’s high-risk bet could collapse fast.
Watch closely—this could be Japan’s GameStop moment.
🔔Stay tuned for more insights on crypto, stocks, and market momentum.
#bitcoin #metaplanet #ShortSqueeze #CryptoStocks #JapanMarket #Web3